Dmx

In September, a good portion of the Internet lighted up with the news that DMX -- rapper, actor, one-time Ruff Ryder -- was somehow unfamiliar with Google, at least in the form the search engine takes on a computer screen . Two months later, however, we can rest easy knowing that DMX's curious pop-cultural ignorance does not extend to something nearly as ubiquitous as Google: Christmas carols. In a video posted to YouTube on Monday, the rapper accepts a challenge at New York's Power 105.1 FM to deliver "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," then proceeds to bark his way through the holiday standard with a charm we at Pop & Hiss didn't know he had. What's more, he accompanies himself by beating a tabletop in time to the music.

A publicity-stunt boxing match is no more. The much-hyped and even more divisive bout between DMX and acquitted Trayvon Martin killer George Zimmerman has been called off, according to the promoter. "This was the wrong person to put in the ring and define celebrity boxing," Damon Feldman said Saturday on Twitter, referring to Zimmerman. He said he was scrapping plans because "I'd rather be happy and make people happy. " PHOTOS: Celebrities by The Times The DMX camp, meanwhile, was putting its own spin on the cancellation, suggesting DMX had second thoughts.

A judge in Upper Marlboro, Md., has vacated a $1.5-million judgment awarded to a woman who filed a defamation suit against rapper DMX after he alleged that she raped him. Prince George's County Circuit Judge Thomas Smith ruled last week that DMX (real name: Earl Simmons) was not properly served with court papers in the case filed against him by Monique Wayne. Wayne became pregnant after an August 2003 encounter with Simmons. She gave birth in April 2004, and DNA tests showed it was Simmons' son. But in a 2006 magazine interview, Simmons, without referring to Wayne by name, said she "raped" him while he slept.

When news broke that DMX would take on George Zimmerman in a “celebrity” boxing match -- on what would have been Trayvon Martin's 19th birthday, no less - the reaction was largely negative. The thought of a man acquitted of murder as a “celebrity” is absurd enough. Now add in the notion of Zimmerman fighting a rapper and the whole thing starts to reek of desperation. News of the fight, or whatever this is, only brought back the emotions over the case that captivated, and divided, the nation last year.

DMX rapped for reporters outside a Phoenix courtroom after pleading not guilty to felony charges of theft and identity theft. Then he plugged his new album. Authorities allege the 37-year-old rapper gave the name "Troy Jones" and an incorrect Social Security number to a Scottsdale hospital in April to avoid paying $7,500 in medical expenses. After a hearing on Thursday, DMX, whose real name is Earl Simmons, rapped: "If you ever fall down, get back up."

DMX finally showed up in court in White Plains, N.Y., Thursday to face speeding and other traffic charges and was sent to jail by the judge who had issued a warrant for his arrest. The 35-year-old rapper, whose real name is Earl Simmons, was ordered held on $25,000 bail. He was led off to jail in handcuffs. Simmons had been due in court Wednesday but failed to appear.

Producer Joel Silver's new Warner Bros. movie, "Exit Wounds," features DMX, a hip-hop star. But DMX's co-star isn't another rap icon--it's Steven Seagal, the pudgy martial-arts master who has faded from view after his days as an early '90s action hero.

Maintaining the persona established on his first album, "It's Dark and Hell Is Hot" (which was released as recently as May and is still a fixture in the Top 40 of the album chart), the Yonkers, N.Y., rapper barks and growls while delivering his angst-filled narratives. DMX's stop-and-go delivery and gravelly voice make him distinctive, and his violent, warped tales of criminal behavior and pacts with the devil have made him the most popular thug rapper of the moment.

Already two songs into his set and his shaved head dripping with sweat, DMX posed a rhetorical question to the packed house Monday at the House of Blues. "Ya'll ready to get this ... started?" As his devotees gave their affirmation with cheers, shouts and barks (DMX has a thing about dogs), the fiery rapper launched into his raucous "One More Road to Cross," igniting a 50-minute performance that affirmed DMX's standing as one of hip-hop's most intense figures and passionate performers.

Producer Joel Silver's new Warner Bros. movie, "Exit Wounds," features DMX, a hip-hop star. But DMX's co-star isn't another rap icon--it's Steven Seagal, the pudgy martial-arts master who has faded from view after his days as an early '90s action hero. The odd-couple pairing is classic Silver, who in the past has had action hits with such unlikely teams as Arnold Schwarzenegger and Carl Weathers ("Predator"), Mel Gibson and Danny Glover (the "Lethal Weapon" series) and Bruce Willis and Damon Wayans ("The Last Boy Scout")

DMX has been arrested for the third time this year. However, the "Ruff Ryders Anthem" rapper was in the passenger seat this time, according to rep Domenick Nati. South Carolina police said they noticed a warrant out for DMX stemming from a previous case of driving without a license and informed him that he needed to go to jail, according to a police report obtained by TMZ. They also said that DMX smelled as if he were drunk and was in possession of weed when he was arrested.

Rapper DMX, who has been in and out of jail after a slew of arrests over the past few years, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection due to years of "financial strains" and "poor financial management. " The "Ruff Ryders Anthem" and "Party (Up In Here)" rapper, 42, whose real name is Earl Simmons, made the announcement Monday following an arrest in South Carolina last week. "DMX's financial strains have been inhibiting his career for several years," said a statement from his publicist, Domenick Nati.

Rapper DMX has been arrested again, this time on suspicion of DUI. The rapper, 42, whose real name is Earl Simmons, was arrested Friday in South Carolina and charged with driving under the influence as well as not having a driver's license, according to Greenville County officials who spoke to the Associated Press. A trooper received a call about a possible DUI driver and then saw the hip-hop star driving erratically in his Plymouth station wagon, a spokesman for the South Carolina Highway Patrol told E!

Rapper DMX was arrested in South Carolina early Wednesday on a charge of driving without a license. The rapper recently completed a stint behind bars after his probation was revoked for the same reason and because he refused to submit to a drug test. The 42-year-old entertainer, whose real name is Earl Simmons, was arrested after police said they saw him leaving a gas station in Greer, in northwestern South Carolina, around 1 a.m., the Associated Press reported. He was taken to jail, then released after paying a fine.

In September, a good portion of the Internet lighted up with the news that DMX -- rapper, actor, one-time Ruff Ryder -- was somehow unfamiliar with Google, at least in the form the search engine takes on a computer screen . Two months later, however, we can rest easy knowing that DMX's curious pop-cultural ignorance does not extend to something nearly as ubiquitous as Google: Christmas carols. In a video posted to YouTube on Monday, the rapper accepts a challenge at New York's Power 105.1 FM to deliver "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," then proceeds to bark his way through the holiday standard with a charm we at Pop & Hiss didn't know he had. What's more, he accompanies himself by beating a tabletop in time to the music.

Richards' book rocks Keith Richards has gone platinum as an author. The Rolling Stone's memoir, "Life," has sold more than 1 million copies since coming out last fall. "Hail to the Keef!" Little, Brown and Co. publisher Michael Pietsch said in a statement Thursday, noting that "Life" was among the bestselling rock memoirs of all time. Richards, 67, received more than $7 million for his book, which received almost universal raves. —Associated Press New King chiller eschews print Stephen King is back in the e-book game.

After dining on gnocchi on La Brea, DMX is doing 80 down Highland in a Jaguar XLK convertible. And for the moment, the Yonkers, N.Y., native has had enough of L.A. "What's wrong with the drivers out here?" growls the rapper born Earl Simmons. "They're taking their time, talking on the phone -- I've seen 'em eat Chinese food at the wheel! I drive New York style. I'm trying to get somewhere. Quickly." Tonight he's getting to Burbank (quickly), for a rehearsal at a studio at the Jay Leno show.

Richards' book rocks Keith Richards has gone platinum as an author. The Rolling Stone's memoir, "Life," has sold more than 1 million copies since coming out last fall. "Hail to the Keef!" Little, Brown and Co. publisher Michael Pietsch said in a statement Thursday, noting that "Life" was among the bestselling rock memoirs of all time. Richards, 67, received more than $7 million for his book, which received almost universal raves. —Associated Press New King chiller eschews print Stephen King is back in the e-book game.

EVENTS Snow Days Who says you can't have it all in L.A.? During the annual celebration, kids can run amok in a real winter snowscape, with all the attendant snowmen, snowball fights and snow angels that come along with it. Rounding out the season's offerings are a host of winter crafts, including snowflake making, pine cone ornaments and cookie decoration. Kidspace Children's Museum, 480 N. Arroyo Blvd., Pasadena. 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. $10 adults and children over age 1; members free.